Sonic Colors Review - Wii

Game Description: Sega brings an all-new Sonic adventure to Wii and DS, promising to blend 3D gameplay with the 2D experience from the old-school days. This time, Sonic has to save the alien race the Whisps from the clutches of Dr. Eggman.

Sonic Colors Review

Sonic is back…again. Sonic Colors takes our azure furry friend out of the woods and into Dr. Robotnik's dastardly amusement park of evil. While Colors gets a lot right with the look and keeping to the 2D environments, the new twist on the old gameplay – namely the alien Wisps – will make you wonder if it was worth the price of admission.

The Pros

Best Looking Sonic Yet

Funny Dialogue

Solid 2D Mechanics

The Cons

Wisps take away from the core mechanics

Short and/or dull levels

Still shaky 3D mechanics

Sonic Colors Review:

You can’t go home again. For fans of the speedy blue hedgehog, this a rather bitter pill to swallow. While the series needs to move forward to make a new name for itself, Sonic has remained stubbornly set in his ways try to regain his past glory. Even Mario has had to implement more tricks that an aging Taiwanese hooker just to keep the customers coming back for more. And with every 3D Wii title, Sonic tries to change the formula just a little in order to push it from simple rehash to revolution, or what I call “trying to break the Sonic Barrier.”

A new challenger to the Sonic crown races his way to the Wii with Sonic Colors. With a name like that, you can expect this newest iteration to be fast, colorful, and mostly the same as the previous Wii titles. Sonic Team tries their hand, yet again, at making a 3D Sonic adventure by adding in Wisps – alien creatures who aid Sonic by giving him special powers. Sometimes when you add a little something new; you have to take something out.

Color-ed Commentary

I can say without hesitation that this is the best looking Sonic game for the Wii. The design team has really created a very fun and creative world that really showcases their artistic muscle. Instead of leaning on staples of the series like generic jungle, generic volcano, or generic desert, Sonic Colors takes place of a handful of planets seized by Dr. Robotnik for his new amusement park. The worlds consist of amalgamations of different genres to create interesting effects such as industrial candylands or underwater Japanese temples. It’s creativity like this the series needs and so often doesn’t get.

But the story, as expected, is a rather jumbled mess that doesn’t really make much sense. Dr. Robotnik under the guise of a reformed villain kidnaps the energy producing Wisps to power his thought control device in order to take over the world. With that said, he’s already managed to acquire five other planets for his diabolical amusement park. How hard is it to get one more? If there is something to keep you from hitting the skip button, it’s the writing. Smart, snappy, and at times (yes, really) funny; the dialogue in Sonic Colors raises the bar for what a Sonic game should be – funny enough for kids but smart enough to keep older gamers’ attention. With the presentation being so varied and unique, it’s just too bad that the rest of the game suffers from stale mechanics.

Like most Sonic games, the object of the levels is to move from point A to point B as quickly as possible while trying not to hit any of the enemies. Some of the levels really shine and demonstrate really the essence of what a Sonic game should be: a quick and fun journey with multiple areas to explore. These little gems, however, only pop up a couple of times per world. The rest of the time is met with bland construction or terribly short stages whose only purpose is to show off one of the new Wisp powers. While the controls work in the 2D sections, areas with that extra dimension (3D) suffer from the same static camera and Sonic becoming unstuck from the three running lanes the game sets up for him. This title feels like the closest the team has come to completely removing the 3D elements all together but sometimes it’s hard to cut the apron strings.

The spin dash has always been a trademark move for the radical rodent since his earlier days. Now you need a Wisp for that. These power-ups give Sonic the ability to get through some rather tricky areas by bashing in obstacles or turning certain blocks into rings depending on the type of wisp you’re holding at the time. Other Wisps open up new areas through digging or flying. The problem comes about not being able to save more than one Wisp. Most of the interaction with these powerful tools is then instantaneous. Once you get the Wisp, you use it right away. The handful of extra rings you collect are often not worth the aggravation you spent just to get there. Also, leave my spin dash alone.

Again, the Wisp centric levels are the weakest in the bunch. If you haven’t found the specific Wisp to go along with the level, it’s a short trip to the end that will leave you scratching you head. Some of them like the floating or drilling Wisp are rather difficult to control. The rocket Wisp shoots you straight into the air with little in the way of finesse or strategy to go along with it. In a game set on platforming and speed, the Wisps slow down the pacing of the action, which has always been a trademark of the Sonic series. It might break up the action at times, but I would rather run than float on by.

Color By Numbers

Moving past the main storyline, there are two additional areas that were probably better left on the cutting room floor. The little red coins you keep picking up unlock more areas in the Sonic Co-Op stages, which are less about racing with your friend and more about dragging them along. Moving past the main camera often costs you a life even when you know solid ground or the way out is just off camera. Fortunately, you can play through these stages sans friend if you so choose. There’s also a survival mode lurking in the shadows for anyone brave enough to play stage after stage of Sonic Colors. The weak of heart or attention spans beware this mode.

Bland Colors

Sonic Colors demonstrates there’s still some mileage left in the hedgehog and then piles on mechanics completely alien to the series. At least this time, we didn’t get a giant cat with a fishing pole. Instead of really focusing on the platforming aspects which made this series great or reinventing it all together, Sonic Colors falls for the trap of trying to cover both and accomplishing nothing. Sonic Team has clearly demonstrated that they know what it takes to make a good game. Now if only they could save themselves from their own franchise.

Well thanks for trying to be nice about it x-play xD I do think you are right about a lot of what this game had and didn't have to offer and I thank you for that as well!Roger Craig Smith is such an awesome VA, he be an awesome Sonic!!

Sonic has got a bad name thanks to 4kids...and now that we have "Roger Craig Smith" aka one of the most hardcore voice actors ever! I think More people should give sonic another try......and Sonic Colors is the game to get....

This Game is Great to relax to as you smash robot in a space rainbow area all day long with a ice cold soda next to you. And if your not into "moving" your arm around for 2 sec. this game can be played with the gamecube controller

Sonic Color shows off what Level Sega is taking the Sonic Games too! And I for one is looking forward to the next sonic game.....I give this game a Way Past COOL 4.5 out of 5

notice how on the top it says 1 player while on the back of the box it says 2 players.(if you cant even get the number of players right then you have no room to talk.)dull levels(look at starlight carnival and tell me dull or did you not go that far.)I can see more wrong with this review but i am not going into that.

notice how on the top it says 1 player while on the back of the box it says 2 players.(if you cant even get the number of players right then you have no room to talk.)I can see more wrong with this review but i am not going into that.

notice how on the top it says 1 player when the back of the box says it is a 2 player, you complain that there are short levels and put it under cons when i can beat the genesis games levels in under 30 sec and those where considered good.if you cant even get the numbers of players right then you have no room to talk about how this game is.

Everyone rags on Nintendo for not being "hardcore" anymore but I think even the most jaded Nintendo fan out there has to give The Big N credit for one thing. There core franchises very rarely seem to completely miss the mark like what Sega has done with the Sonic franchise. How many horrible Sonic games are out there? Quite a few. Compare that to the bad Mario games... Super Mario Sunshine wasn't exactly what everyone wanted but it was still a fun Game Cube title. Other then that, I'm not sure how many bad Mario titles there are.

The game developers have worked around the clock its a quarter till 3am the CEO of Sega is awaiting outside in the lounge for the expected grim news, But the lead designer appears out of the room and with a unexpected joyous expression states "Let me introduce you to Sonic Colors!"

Yes rejoice sonic fans off all ages, newcomers,and veterans alike the best 3d sonic game of all time has finally arrived in your local video game stores, and hopefully your Christmas presents.

After the much anticipated sonic unleashed many fans were disappointed because of two factors 1) Werehog and 2) Wii's/ps2 version This was the first 3d sonic game in the last 2 years where sonic actually returns to his roots and proves to many of the non believers both former and continuous that there is hope for sonic. Now the glimmer has expanded into a vast flare with Sonic Colors,

GRAPHICS: the graphics in this game are second to none it almost makes me forget I'm playing the Wii, While not as eye popping as its previous unleashed title the environments are as beautiful as ever and can easily rival some 360/ps3 graphics (make sure you eat before you take a visit to the candy mountain world)

STORY: (SPOILER ALERT) This storyline was a little over the top for me eggman creates a universal apology to all by creating an amusement in space to guise his evil plan for universal domination? I think that IQ of 300 just dropped a hundred points, who is he trying to fool? Anyway Tails is cautious and warns the skeptical sonic that he possibly has turned a new leaf, Sonic investigates. Later we find out that Eggman is using beings known as wisp to fuel his mind control cannon to take over the world. In the end Sonic and some help from the wisp stops eggman and returns to his home.

GAMEPLAY: The game play is awesome the controls moderately easy are smooth no stiff jumping or glitchy speed. The Sonic's speed boost has been toned down for better control and for those with slower reflects. Personally i think unleash had more intensity and the speed was more adrenaline pumping and kind of takes away the experience of speed in COLORS It feels like sonic unleashed handicapped or a down grade from burnout 3 (sonic unleashed) to need for speed (Sonic Colors) but this issue is minor at best, running grinding and zip lining is so fun you'll barely noticed a difference . The wisp are a nice bonus it makes the game easier and more unique, the platforming is pretty good too though at one point during my first experience I was launched off screen and assume I was coming back down but I didnt I was on a platform that cant be seen a minor issue but I like to see where I'm going. The difficulty in stages of the game is out of control, it can go from easy to difficult in am matter of 3 stages and even take a reverse order in theres no consistency. levels aren't Halo 2 legendary difficult but you will be doing alot of exploring if you want bonus content. Luckily Sonic colors has High replay value

SOUND: The music was then written to "expand beyond the usual 'cool' Sonic sound and focus on making fun, up-tempo music that will really get players' blood pumping." - Wikipedia I consider this to be a double edge sword the music in my eyes is a back up to the usually clunky games sega has released in the past and has meaning and adrenaline pumping music that fits the pace of gameplay. In sonic colors its still there but the music isn't as good as it was in the sonic adventure, 06, or even unleashed days (which I consider to have the best soundtrack so far) The voice acting is actually (gasp) respectable?! With the replacement of the sonic x cast I was pretty skeptical but then I realized how stupid I was. When I heard the voices I was pleased, Tails sounded like a young boy, and sonic actually sounds like an adolescent. Sorry jason griffith and ryan drummond fans, time to move on.

I recommend this sonic game to anyone it has universal appeal, its fun, its co-op friendly and it has enough content to keep you playing for days if not weeks. Its no sonic and knuckles but its damn sure not sonic 06, or any of the stupid secret rings and knight wii spin offs either.

Before I go in depth on why this game is king of all sonic games I 'd like to review the "review" of this game made from the opinions of x-play. First off your jokes were not funny, Second the review itself just sounds like your just saving face and avoid more hate mail. The majority of your points were negative yet the game got a 3/5 the only upside I heard mentioned was that the scripting was good and the jokes were funny. I disagree the scripting was corny but at least the lines it didn't sound like a Dr.sues book. And the characters did have a more obvious personality particularly sonic and tails. The reviewer also mentioned that the levels are "boring" and the powers are "counter productive." It's called READING THE HINTS, that's what they're there for. And the levels aren't even close to boring there are various unique styles in each world you visit and the point of the wisp were to mix up the game play of just running, jumping and sliding. Sure most of the wisp don't help the purpose as to why sonic is known as the fastest thing alive but they all serve a purpose to reach new areas or make the levels easier to complete. The review in writing also complains about 3d still appearing in a sonic game, did they not play sonic unleashed or something? I can't see whats so scary about 3d and sonic nowadays, in my opinion they got it right on sonic unleashed so why is that still a topic of discussion? Camera was never an issue while I was playing Sonic colors, however the reviewer claims that the camera is static on the3d lane change parts parts. I couldnt find what "static camera" meant but based on context I'm going to assume it means stationary. So what? Why would a camera that focuses on your character be a problem do you miss sonic 2006 awesome camera work? So all in all I know this is just x plays opinion but it's not a very good one considering whats said and posted and the overall score contradicts each other only because as stated in the beginning of the video review you suddenly care about what we think.

So xplays review 2/5 work on your facts and put your feelings aside when reviewing a game franchise you hate. (least its better than that horrible metroid other m review)

I take it as what it is, a new Sonic Game that was actually very promising in what it performed... I don't know what the issue is about G4 but IGN changed their view on it giving it a 8.5 out of 10 so that's pretty awesome. However I rate this Sonic title as a 5 out of 5 because throughout all the flak Sonic Team did a pretty good job on this, the new voices are pretty good, the storyline was pretty funny and the music was a nice touch.

I've experienced this game and I have to say I like it but do yourselves a favor and at least rent the game before you review it, that way everyone will understand what you're talking about.

Don't listen to the poor review G4 gave this game. Everything about this game is excellent and deserves 5/5. (Nintendo Power gave it 9/10)

Pros: * Cool power-ups that actually work well * Tons of exploring and cool red rings that unlock levels in 2P mode * Excellent blend of 2D and 3D excitement * The game is not to hard to beat nor too easy * The BEST sonic game yet!

Cons: * The new voices are awfull * The jokes aren't that funny (you may think they're kiddish)

It probably wouldn't do any good, but they should have second opinions on all the games they have on here. One person who loves the genre and another that's not that into it. That would be more useful to people like me, aka people with a limited income, and isn't that the purpose of reviews in the first place?

Hey, 3 out of 5 is still a good score. That three says "If you like Sonic games, then get this one." It's better than G4 going "We haven't played the game, but seeing how it's a Sonic game, it gets a one." Plus, I've seen IGN take points off games for stupid(er) reasons.

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